Pelvic MRI for Rectal Cancer: Tips on Interpretation

Recorded September 14, 2021

This case-based, one-hour interactive session is targeted toward surgeons involved in a multidisciplinary approach to rectal cancer care. It serves as an introduction to rectal MRI and the various interpretative assessments made at initial staging. Through a guided discussion between a colorectal surgeon and GI radiologist, the participant will be led through several cases, examining how interpretation decisions are made at MR and how various factors, including technical and patient-based characteristics, may impact the level of confidence in an imaging assessment. The participant will have opportunities to ask questions in real time as the cases are reviewed. Specific teaching points will be emphasized that should set a solid foundation regarding Rectal MR imaging for the surgeon.

Virginia Shaffer, MD, FACS

Dr. Shaffer is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and specializes in minimally invasive and open surgical treatment of diseases of the colon and rectum. She received her MD at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center San Antonio and completed her general surgery residency at Emory University. Dr. Shaffer did a research fellowship in Transplant Immunology and subsequently did a fellowship in Colon and Rectal Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida. She is board certified in both General Surgery and Colon and Rectal Surgery. Dr. Shaffer is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Her research interests include health services research, quality improvement, and clinical research.

David Kim, MD, FACR, FSAR

Dr. Kim graduated from the University of Michigan Inteflex combined college/medical school program (B.S. in Biomedical Sciences with highest distinction; MD with cum laude designation). He undertook a preliminary year in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center followed by a residency in Diagnostic Radiology at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis. Dr. Kim completed training with a body imaging fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. He is on faculty within the Abdominal Imaging & Intervention Section at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Kim is a Professor of Radiology and Vice Chair of Education. Over his career, his research focus has been on colorectal cancer and has authored or co-authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications, 40 book chapters, and one reference textbook on CT colonography (CTC). This has included first authorship of an original research article on CTC published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 2007.

Elise Lawson, MD, FACS

Dr Elise Lawson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center and earned a Masters in Health Services Research at the UCLA School of Public Health. She is the Director of the Surgical Collaborative of Wisconsin, which aims to create a community of surgeons to improve the quality of surgical care across the state. Her research program focuses on decreasing variation in the delivery of colorectal cancer care and specifically addressing disparities in access, management and outcomes.

• Identify key anatomic imaging landmarks helpful in rectal cancer staging at MR.
• Critically evaluate whether tumor is contained or extends past the muscularis propria of the rectum.
• State the imaging criteria used in determining lymph node positivity and how lymph node drainage patterns may impact interpretation.

Surgeons and other physicians, nurses, cancer registrars, and allied health professionals.

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded for this course.
The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has awarded 1 CE hour for the event number 2021-120.
ACS Cancer Programs is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider #CEP17437, for 1 contact hour.

Disclosure Information

In accordance with the ACCME Accreditation Criteria, the American College of Surgeons must ensure that anyone in a position to control the content of the educational activity (planners and speakers/authors/discussants/moderators) has disclosed all financial relationships with any commercial interest (termed by the ACCME as “ineligible companies”, defined below) held in the last 24 months (see below for definitions). Please note that first authors were required to collect and submit disclosure information on behalf all other authors/contributors, if applicable.

Ineligible Company

The ACCME defines an “ineligible company” as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services used on or consumed by patients. Providers of clinical services directly to patients are NOT included in this definition.

Financial Relationships

Relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.

Conflict of Interest

Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of an ineligible company with which he/she has a financial relationship.

The ACCME also requires that ACS manage any reported conflict and eliminate the potential for bias during the educational activity. Any conflicts noted below have been managed to our satisfaction. The disclosure information is intended to identify any commercial relationships and allow learners to form their own judgments. However, if you perceive a bias during the educational activity, please report it on the evaluation.

Faculty Disclosures

Speakers and Moderator

David Kim, MD, FACR, FSAR – shareholder in Elucent
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Elise Lawson, MD, FACS - Nothing to disclose
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Virginia Shaffer, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Emory University School of Medicine

Planning Committee Members

William V. Chopp, MD, FCAP – Nothing to disclose
Spectrum Health

Salini Hota, MD – Nothing to disclose
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

Nelya Melnitchouk, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center

Walter R. Peters, Jr., MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Baylor University Medical Center

Peter Senatore, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
Inspira Medical Center

Sanda Tan, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
HCA Healthcare

Kimberly Yee, MD, FACS – Nothing to disclose
White Plains Hospital